Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

 Wii
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 26
  3. Negative: 8 out of 26
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    72
    It's a new and improved Sonic Riders with plenty of new tracks and characters to enjoy. It's a must-have for Sonic fans and a "might-enjoy" for aces of the racing genre, especially for those who like F-Zero and Wipeout.
  2. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    72
    A surprisingly fun effort, but it's just not as solid as it should be (the controls in particular) and the overly complex mechanics might put the more casual Sonic fans off. [Mar 2008, p.84]
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  3. Nintendo Power
    70
    As with the original " Sonic Riders", a large segment of the gaming populace will likely fine Zero Gravity immensely frustrating. [Feb 2008, p.90]
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  5. N-Europe
    70
    Our advice: use a GameCube controller, learn the shortcuts, and hope the next one sorts out that boost system.
  6. Gamers' Temple
    67
    Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is a racer that comes up just short of being respectable.
  7. Games Master UK
    67
    Not dreadful but not great: another shotgun marriage between Sonic and the Wii. [Mar 2008, p.72]
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  8. Game Almighty
    60
    Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity’s problems keep it from being a consistent blast - but it has its moments.
  9. Zentendo
    60
    Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity has some good ideas, but it all ultimately falls flat in its execution. The controls are stiff and unresponsive, the track concepts are great, but lack quality design, and the context-sensitive shortcuts feel like a waste of time that do nothing but over complicate things, littering the tracks with garbage.
  10. Game Informer
    60
    You have a GameCube controller handy, Zero Gravity is very nearly mediocre.
  11. GamePro
    60
    If you can suffer the controls or have GameCube controllers lying around, it's not a bad kickback-n-relax option for some speedy cartoon laps. [Apr 2008, p.81]
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  12. Gamer.nl
    60
    Zero Gravity might not be as good as the well known race games from Nintendo themselves, but this game can offer quite some fun. The levels are designed nicely and the different routes offer a lot of variation. The only real downside is the control: it's just too frustrating. This is a nice placeholder for the next Mario Kart.
  13. Cubed3
    60
    All in all, it’s a step forward from the original, but still retains much of the flaws and annoyances.
  14. GameZone
    59
    This game could have been a real heavy hitter, especially coming off of the holiday rush. Instead with unpolished controls, dismal graphics, and a mediocre soundtrack, this game will remain a shadow of what it should have been.
  15. IGN
    58
    There’s no denying the entertainment that could come from a blazing fast Sonic racing title, but the Riders franchise has tried twice, and both times failed to deliver solid control and a true sense of speed.
  16. The Wiire
    58
    Zero Gravity does not earn any of The Wiire's awards simply because the game does not excel in any category.
  17. n-Revolution Magazine UK
    52
    A limp, insipid futuristic racer with dodgy controls and weak gameplay. You can do much better, as can Sega. [Issue#19, p.86]
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  18. Game Revolution
    50
    It’s sad, really. Now that Sega’s console days have gone the way of the Colecovision, Sonic just doesn’t get the respect that he used to.
  19. Worth Playing
    50
    The racing has been so simplified that it may find a much larger audience than the original did. It's not for me, though. I like technique and speed in my racing games, unless we're talking something like Outrun 2, and even that has a drifting mechanism that makes a modicum of sense.

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2008
13
#13 Most Shared Wii Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 106
  3. Negative: 8 out of 106
  1. ApollGrimoire
    Aug 28, 2014
    9
    Not as bad as many think. Story is better than riders by miles, still not saying much though. Graphics and sound are good. Controls do take aNot as bad as many think. Story is better than riders by miles, still not saying much though. Graphics and sound are good. Controls do take a while to get used too, though I do prefer the Gamecube controls to the Wii motion controls any day. At least this game has a tutorial mode to get used to the controls. Best game in the riders series, and that's not saying much.… Full Review »
  2. MrSonicFan
    Apr 28, 2013
    8
    A far better game than the original. The Wii controls don't take that long to get used to. I actually have fun using the Wii remote to playA far better game than the original. The Wii controls don't take that long to get used to. I actually have fun using the Wii remote to play the game. Its very surprising. The graphics are good. But defiantly no where near as good as games like sonic colours and super mario galaxy. The music is good. Nothing special though. If people would give this game a chance they could find it fun. Same with the original. Just don't go anywhere near sonic free riders and you will be safe … Full Review »
  3. Mufinguy
    Jan 17, 2011
    8
    Though I enjoy the Sonic series generally, this game was OK. Great graphics for the Wii, yet a times the screen was a little too busy with tooThough I enjoy the Sonic series generally, this game was OK. Great graphics for the Wii, yet a times the screen was a little too busy with too much going on at once. Maybe it is just my slow processing powers but I enjoyed other sonic titles like magic rings much more than this. Controlling sonic wasn't too bad, but I have also felt smoother control in other sonic titles. I won't say don't buy this, but some might find it a little more frustrating than fun.… Full Review »
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